“Fuck you, bitch,” I growl lowly enough for just her to hear me, but her expression doesn’t change. She merely tilts her head as if she hasn’t heard me.
The door to the principal’s office opens, but it’s not Mrs. Hadley. It’s a cop with a big belly, almost popping buttons off his uniform. I have a perfect donut joke for him, but I don’t know what this is about, so I keep my mouth shut.
“Jace Montero?” he asks, and I nod as I look around, trying to figure out what this is about. “Come inside.”
My feet feel glued to the floor. I don’t want to go in there. I don’t know what he has to say, but I’ve heard enough. My dad comes up behind me, and his hand on my back has me moving forward. He shakes the officer’s hand as I stand there confused.
“And I’m Daniel Montero, Jace’s father.”
The cop nods and ushers us into the office. I turn to see Britney with a huge grin on her face just as another officer closes the door. He’s a big man, and I recognize that face. It’s Britney’s dad.Fuck sake.
“Take a seat, please. It’s nice to see you again, Daniel. It’s been a while.” He shakes my father’s hand. They know each other because of my former relationship with Britney. “We have some questions we would like to ask you, Jace.”
I keep standing and cross my arms. Fuck this shit. I did nothing wrong, and if Britney put them up to this, I’m gonna kill her.
I look at Dad, but he just shakes his head and gestures for me to sit.
“Jace, we would like to talk to you about Mila Hart, Roman Valentine, and Hunter West.”What?I look at the big-bellied cop and back to my dad.
“Take a seat, boy.” Officer Montlake’s voice grows louder. He isn’t asking.
Dad’s eyes meet mine, and they plead for me to sit. Not to cause a scene. My arms drop to my sides and my hands fist. I don’t like the way this cop is asking about my friends.
The cops bringing me in here can’t be good for Mila and the guys. My heart races, and a wave of cold rushes through me as my stomach drops.
It’s got to be about Mila killing Roman’s dad. It has to be. What did Britney say to her dad to get them here, questioning me at school?
I know Mila’s been making Britney’s life a living hell after what she did to Grady. But Britney’s a bitch and has been calling her names like “killer.”
“As you know, there was an incident involving the three of them recently. And I have it on good authority that you were friends with them up until a few weeks before this happened. Is that correct?” the other cop asks.
I look back to the closed door, as though I can see Britney standing there with that grin on her face. It was an accident. It was self-defense. I never asked Mila directly, but I know she wouldn’t have killed Roman’s dad if she had any other choice. For me to be here, questioned by the cops…
What did I say when I was angry and venting my shit out loud with Britney around? She’s angry and just trying to get back at me. That’s all this is. Just a fallen queen trying to regain her crown.
I sit up straighter. “Why do you have me here?”
“We are looking into an ongoing investigation. One that involves your three friends. And we have questions for you,” Officer Montlake explains. And he would know…he knew me growing up. He knew us all.
“We’ve had a witness come forward with some information, and we need you to tell us what you know about the incident that resulted in the death of Mr. Damon Valentine.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know anything about it. I wasn’t there.”
“Well, I don’t know. You have always been thick as thieves, you four. I would find it highly unlikely you don’t knowanything.”
I don’t answer; I just sit there silently. I don’t know anything, and I’m not about to talk. I’m not stupid.
The other cop starts speaking, and I try to ignore him until he asks a question that I’ve been asking myself. “What’s their association with the Amato Family?”
When my eyes find the officer, he tilts his head and smiles. I curse myself.Fuck.
Amato. I’ve heard the three of them use that name a few times while whispering. I googled it and it came up with the Amato crime family and I knew that had to be wrong, but for him to ask this. It can’t be wrong. And I just said without words, that they have a connection to this family.Fuck.I don’t say anything, and he stares me down.
“Tell us about their relationship,” Officer Montlake says. “There’s some talk about the three of them being all involved with each other…sexually. But Jace, you’re not involved with them sexually?”
My eyes meet his, and I narrow them. This fucker has gone too far. I edge forward, and I can see the smile forming on his face. He knows I’m left out. He would have gotten that much from Britney and is trying to play it, so I will rise and talk. I tend to get angry and run my mouth. Not anymore.
“I wasn’t aware this was what you were going to be asking when you called us down here,” Dad tells them both. “You haven’t even read my son his rights. If you want to ask any more questions, you can ask through our lawyer.” He stands and I do too. Officer Montlake watches me as I leave the office.
